The running down of services at the Alexandria infirmary – and the worsening condition of the buildings – has gone too far.

That is why the Lennox Herald is this week launching SOS – Save Our Services at the Vale hospital.

The Lennox will be spearheading a vigorous campaign to protect and restore services provided at the hospital in the wake of the latest planned reductions.

We would stress that this is a community issue, not a party political issue: both the current SNP government and its Labour predecessor have been guilty of depleting services and we urge politicians of all parties to back our campaign.

There has been widespread anger over the latest cut to hit the Vale hospital.

It was announced to sweeping condemnation just before Christmas that ward six, a surgical inpatient ward, is to close to save £400,000.

And in September last year, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) confirmed to the Lennox Herald that the specialist blood pressure clinic would close.

Patients would either be discharged back to their GP or referred to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

And in 2014 there was fury at a move to close the RVS shop.

That all follows the removal some years ago of A&E from the Vale to the Royal Alexandra Hospital at Paisley.

The latest closure, ward six, prompted a furious response from campaigner, Jim Moohan, who, two weeks ago, made an impassioned plea to resurrect a drive to protect services at the Vale hospital in the wake of the “disgraceful” cuts.

Jim, chairman of Hospitalwatch, promised to hold “lying” politicians to account as they prepare for elections this year.

The Lennox will stand beside Jim as we fight to reinvigorate the campaign to save services at the Vale.

Jim said: “This is another salami slice of the Vale hospital and shows utter contempt for the people of West Dunbartonshire and Argyll.

"We were given assurances by the Scottish government the Vale would have a viable future but, once again, its viability is being undermined by the taking away of another important unit.

“We call on health secretary Shona Robison once and for all to stop the rot of the services. The Scottish government is allowing the rot to set in to a degree where it will become too late to repair.

“Rest assured that Hos­pitalwatch and the community will make a stand prior to the elections this year and we will bring the community together and bring the politicians to the table to answer for what they have done over the past 10 years.

"We are finished with all the lies and all the false promises. They have behaved disgracefully. No more propaganda.

“I’ve been looking at the elections as a marker and it is now time to resurrect the campaign and take it forward.”

Jim Moohan at the Vale of Leven Hospital

Dumbarton and Vale MSP Jackie Baillie also said the health board had assured her there were no plans to close ward six.

She added: “I contacted the health board a few months ago to seek clarity on the future of the service after hearing reports from local people that the ward was being prepared for closure.

“I received a categorical assurance from the health board there were no plans to close ward six. It’s shocking we are being treated in such an underhand way.”

The latest closure comes despite repeated reassurances in recent years that services at the hospital would be preserved or improved.

As recently as last spring Ms Robison vowed to maintain services at the Vale. And, in 2014, her predecessor, Alex Neil, did the same.

In April 2015, a statement issued on behalf of Ms Robison to Jim Moohan said: “Please be assured that the Cabinet Secretary has noted your concerns about the Vale of Leven Hospital and would like to assure you that the Scottish government remains absolutely committed to ensuring that the Vale has a viable future.

“Ms Robison is fully aware Nicola Sturgeon ended a decade of damaging uncertainty for local people when she approved the Vision for the Vale in 2009; and that this ensured key local services would be safeguarded and improved.

Hospitalwatch and local people can be assured this commitment remains in place.”

Speaking to the Lennox Herald in September 2014, Mr Neil revealed consideration was, in fact, being given to providing more services north of the Clyde.

Mr Neil said at the time: “I give you a guarantee now that services in the Vale will continue and we are actually looking at improvements we can make north of the river in terms of accident and emergency services.”

n What do you think? Do you want services protected at the Vale and remedial work carried out to the buildings? Email your views to news@lennoxherald.co.uk, post them on Facebook or write to The Editor, Lennox Herald, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.